Italy's Edoardo Todaro runs riot as Northampton quell defiant Scarlets

Northampton wings Edoardo Todaro and Ollie Sleightholme did the damage in a 43-28 victory over Scarlets that secured home advantage in the Investec Champions Cup round of 16.

Teenage Italy international Todaro displayed his finishing instincts to grab a first-half hat-trick and was named man of the match as a result, while Sleightholme went over in the 51st minute.

Once Craig Wright finished a line-out drive, Saints led 33-14 and appeared to be coasting, but Scarlets found a second wind to cross through Sam Costelow and Jac Davies.

Tension mounted at Franklin’s Gardens until Anthony Belleau, who continued to deputise for calf-injury victim Fin Smith, rifled over a penalty in the 76th minute to put daylight between the rivals.

Callum Chick then drove over from the close range in overtime to give the final scoreline a lopsided look that failed to reflect Scarlets’ gutsy performance.

Investec Champions Cup

Pool 1

P

W

L

D

PF

PA

PD

BP T

BP-7

BP

Total

1

Glasgow

3

3

0

0

15

2

Toulouse

4

2

2

0

12

3

Sale

4

2

2

0

11

4

Saracens

3

2

1

0

10

5

Sharks

4

2

2

0

10

6

Clermont

4

0

4

0

0

Pool 2

P

W

L

D

PF

PA

PD

BP T

BP-7

BP

Total

1

Bath

4

3

1

0

16

2

Toulon

4

3

1

0

14

3

Castres

4

2

2

0

10

4

Edinburgh

4

2

2

0

10

5

Munster

4

1

3

0

8

6

Gloucester

4

1

3

0

6

Pool 3

P

W

L

D

PF

PA

PD

BP T

BP-7

BP

Total

1

Leinster

4

4

0

0

18

2

Harlequins

4

3

1

0

15

3

Stormers

4

3

1

0

14

4

Leicester

4

1

3

0

6

5

Stade Rochelais

4

1

3

0

6

6

Bayonne

4

0

4

0

0

Pool 4

P

W

L

D

PF

PA

PD

BP T

BP-7

BP

Total

1

Bordeaux

4

4

0

0

20

2

Northampton

4

3

1

0

16

3

Bristol

4

3

1

0

14

4

Bulls

4

1

3

0

7

5

Pau

4

1

3

0

6

6

Scarlets

4

0

4

0

3

The bonus-point victory means Northampton finish the group campaign in second place, four points adrift of top side and defending champions Bordeaux.